Ever since the SS United States left Philadelphia on February 19 bound for Mobile, Alabama, social media has been abuzz with images of the grand ship under tow. The crew of Vinik No. 6 — the tugboat towing “America’s Flagship” — have posted some phenomenal pictures, as have spectators from land, sea, and air. I saw one comment on Facebook that said that this was the most press coverage and publicity that the SS United States has ever gotten in her career. I don’t think that’s an inaccurate statement, either. It’s been nice, if bittersweet, to see the old ship get so much attention again.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, there’ve been renewed calls for the SS United States‘ preservation. Just take a look at the comments on my social media pages (especially Facebook). One group, the New York Coalition to Save the SS United States, has emerged in recent weeks as the most visibly organized effort to save “America’s Flagship.”
The Coalition
According to the group’s Facebook page,” Our mission is to save the SS United States and transform it into a vibrant public space, featuring a mix of cultural, educational, and entertainment attractions. Renewables energy sources and green spaces.” They seek to bring the SS United States to Brooklyn, New York and moor her at the Gowanus Bay Terminal (GBX). The New York Coalition to Save the SS United States was founded in late 2024 by James Kaplan and Dan McSweeney (co-founder of the SS United States Conservancy, the ship’s previous owners). John Quadrozzi, Jr. —President and CEO of GBX — along with Michael Lewis, Jason Wade, and Peter Feinman, also play major roles.
The New York Coalition to Save the SS United States has set up a Change.org petition to gather support for their mission. At the time of this writing, 1,625 people have signed. The group has also set up a GoFundMe fundraiser to raise $1 million to “support the preservation and redevelopment of the SS United States.” They’ve raised over $3,000 so far. However, Okaloosa County, have previously said that the SS United States isn’t up for sale. “We have made repeated attempts to establish open dialogue with Okaloosa County officials,” the coalition has said, “but unfortunately, none have been successful. Despite this, we remain committed to our mission to save the ship.”
The New York Coalition to Save the SS United States has also called on President Donald Trump to save the ship. In a letter dated February 10, 2025, the group implored him to “take prompt executive action by ordering the taking of this precious symbol of American engineering and shipbuilding for public use.” There has not been a response at the time of this writing.
The SS United States Conservancy also reached out to President Joe Biden in February 2024. They similarly received no answer.
“…the historical and cultural foundations of the Nation should be preserved as a living part of our community life and development in order to give a sense of orientation to the American people…”
The New York Coalition to Save the SS United States has stated that several laws and statutes apply to “America’s Flagship.”
The SS United States became part of the National Register of Historic Places on June 14, 1999. According to the SS United States Conservancy, “The designation was the work of the SS United States Preservation Society, the precursor to the Conservancy, which helped secure Congressional support for America’s Flagship through the SS United States Preservation Act of 1992.” The New York Coalition to Save the SS United States points out that the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 protects listings on the National Register of Historic Places. They argue that there needs to be a public hearing and consideration of alternatives before the ship’s converted for reefing.
In addition, the coalition cites two pieces of public law, as well as environmental concerns. In their letter to President Trump, the group said:
Public Laws 92-296 and 94-536, taken together, authorize the United States to take the vessel for pubic [sic] use, paying just compensation to her owner. The more recent statute widens the scope of potential public use beyond the earlier one’s “for operation under the American flag.” We urge you to take the necessary executive action to effectuate the intent of those statutes, not only in taking the ship, but also the many components and artifacts that have already been stripped off her and sold.
While the creation of artificial reefs for marine habitat is a laudable effort, there are many in that region already, and other vessels could be used for such purposes. Moreover, the speed records of the SSUS are in part the result of the use of lightweight aluminum in her construction. This presents unique and untested risks of harm as that metal oxidizes in seawater. Such effects must be fully vetted before sinking an American Flagship that could create the next environmental disaster.
The SS United States should arrive in Mobile on Monday, March 3. It seems pretty certain that the ship’s saga is far from over.
“It’s too late.”
While there have been more calls to save the ship lately, the prevailing feeling is that it’s too late. “The ship has literally sailed,” one Facebook commentor said. “Give it up,” another said. Pessimism, hostility, and outright mockery has met the coalition’s efforts. There have even concerns that the whole thing is a scam.
In the wake of all this, on February 18, 2025, the SS United States Conservancy’s Southeast Chapter posted on its Facebook page:
Due to the increasing confusion regarding the so called “coalition’s” attempt to seize ownership of the SS United States from Okaloosa County by means of attempting to contact the White House, and by citing Public Laws 92-296 and 94-536 which specifically were passed for the SS United States, we feel it absolutely necessary to clarify what these laws entail, and how the laws the “coalition” have cited no longer apply to the vessel, showing disorganization within the “coalition” and their inability to double check other laws that, quite literally, trump the ones cited.
Public Laws 92-296 (1972) and 94-536 (1976) were enacted to address the SS United States’ potential foreign sale and domestic use as a floating hotel. However, these laws were specific to the vessel’s circumstances at the time and have since been superseded by modern maritime and environmental regulations that govern vessel ownership, transfer, and disposal.
Current Legal Standards Overriding the 1970s Laws:
1. Title 46 of the United States Code (Shipping)
• This title consolidates and codifies U.S. maritime law, addressing vessel documentation, regulation, and disposal. Public Law 109-304 (2006) reorganized and updated these laws to reflect modern maritime policies, effectively rendering the provisions of Public Laws 92-296 and 94-536 obsolete.
2. National Artificial Reef Plan (Under the National Fishing Enhancement Act of 1984)
• This plan provides federal guidelines for the construction and placement of artificial reefs. Any attempt to sink the SS United States as an artificial reef must comply with these guidelines, which were developed after the 1970s laws, thereby superseding them. Okaloosa is complying with this Act in its entirety to ensure the vessel can be successfully deployed as an artifial [sic] reef.Environmental Regulations Governing the SS United States’ Disposal:
1. Clean Water Act (CWA) – Section 404
• This federal law regulates the discharge of materials into U.S. waters. If the SS United States is repurposed as an artificial reef, a permit is required to ensure that sinking the vessel does not harm water quality or marine ecosystems.
2. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Best Management Practices
• The EPA has developed strict environmental remediation guidelines for preparing vessels intended to become artificial reefs. These require the removal of hazardous materials, including PCBs, fuel residues, and asbestos, ensuring compliance with modern environmental laws that did not exist when Public Laws 92-296 and 94-536 were enacted.How These Modern Laws Override the 1970s Public Laws:
Public Laws 92-296 and 94-536 were tailored to specific potential uses for the SS United States in the 1970s, such as foreign sale and hotel conversion. However, as environmental awareness and maritime regulations have evolved, more comprehensive legal frameworks have been established. These modern laws—particularly Title 46, the Clean Water Act, and EPA guidelines—now govern how the SS United States can be used, transferred, or disposed of.
In essence, the earlier public laws no longer have practical authority over the vessel’s fate. Any actions taken with the SS United States, such as its ownership by Okaloosa County and pending conversion into an artificial reef, must adhere to today’s stringent maritime and environmental regulations, which have effectively replaced the outdated provisions of the 1970s laws.
Anyone who still feels this “coalition” is fighting for the ship, are being absolutely fooled. If, for any reason, Okaloosa cannot deploy the United States as an artificial reef, and their ownership of the vessel is revoked, the ship will be scrapped, not saved by this last minute group of “preservationists” nor by a sham “coalition.
The only thing they will achieve if their effort were to succeed, which it will not, will be the loss of the SS United States in its entirety due to scrapping. That will be on their shoulders.
In light of this and other comments, the New York Coalition to Save the SS United States posted on its Facebook page:
In recent times, we’ve noticed a surge in negativity and noise within the greater community, attempting to diminish the hope that drives us. We urge you not to let these voices drown out your optimism! The ONLY reason we are doing this, is because we care!
In our coalition, we’re committed to fostering a culture of positivity and progress. We’re dedicated to transforming our vision into reality, and we’re making significant strides.
Here are some key facts that demonstrate our commitment:
– We’ve officially incorporated in the state of New York, investing our own resources to make this happen.
– We’re in the process of obtaining 501(c)(3) status, further solidifying our organization’s foundation.
– We’ve secured a confirmed commitment from John Quadrozzi Jr. to bring the Vessel to South Red Hook, Brooklyn. Where we will re-develop the Gowanus Bay Terminal Wharf/Quay. With the SS United States as the “Star” attraction!
-Dredging will be required, we assure you it will be addressed when the time comes.
-We have secured support from New York City Council members and several New York officials.
– Our vision for this project includes a vibrant public green space, emphasizing renewable resources, environmental protection, and preservation.
– The space will feature museums, dining options, event spaces, small business incubators, retail, and potentially more.
-The Pledges you have made thus far, have not been touched. So far we have managed to raise $1600+ on GoFundMe. We are grateful for all of your contributions and support in this cause.
Thank you for being part of our community. Together, let’s continue to spread hope and positivity, and work towards creating a brighter future.
#Hope#Progress#Community#GowanusBayTerminal#Sustainability#ssus#oceanconservation#protection#savetheplanet#nycsavessus#SaveOurShip
So What Now?
Honestly, at this point who knows what’ll happen. The SS United States saga has had so many twists and turns that I feel it’s impossible to fully know what the future holds.
But I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: I don’t blame the SS United States Conservancy for not being able to save the SS United States. Old ships are notoriously difficult to save and preserve. If that weren’t the case, then we might still have ships like USS Ranger and MV Kalakala around. Nor would the MV Aurora be undergoing scrapping right now. I applaud the Conservancy for fighting the good fight for so long. They did the best that they could given the circumstances, and they did what they thought was right. That’s all anyone can ever ask.
That said, if there’s even a remote possibility of saving the SS United States, I’m in. I know that it’s a longshot that the New York Coalition to Save the SS United States will succeed. But it can happen. It happened for the USS North Carolina and USS Potomac. It may yet happen for “America’s Flagship.”
While reefing the ship may be better than scrapping, it’s better still to have the ship above water. I’ve signed the coalition’s petition (as well as many others over the years) and I’ve donated to their fundraiser (like I’ve done for the Conservancy too). If I’m “being absolutely fooled,” then so be it. At least I can rest knowing I did my part in trying to save the SS United States.
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